One less flower is blooming this spring. Claire O'Roark has passed away. Mrs. O'Roark passed away March 2, 2010 while residing at Heritage Hall in Leesburg, Virginia. She was 87 years old.

Claire Virginia O'Roark was born on May 18, 1922 in Fairfax, Virginia. She was one of 17 children born to parents Henry Jacob and Amie Whitmer. She later married Mark Benton O'Roark on August 29, 1942. They had a daughter Mary and a son Jimmy. Claire was a devoted mother. She chose to be a stay at home mom, raising her children with love and teaching them to love and respect others. Mary and Jimmy often came home from school to the smell of freshly baked desserts. Their classmates were treated to specially decorated cupcakes on holidays. During the day she could often be found outside working in her yard. Anyone lucky enough to view her yard knew she had a green thumb. Her flowers; azaleas, tulips, jonquils as well as many other different varieties; bloomed so very pretty. Claire enjoyed talking to her neighbors.
Once her children were older, she made the decision to work outside of the home. Claire found a job where she could use her love and skill of cooking and baking. She worked in the cafeteria of the Annandale Terrace School. She later worked for Fairfax County as a bus attendant.

Mrs. O'Roark is survived by her daughter, Mary O'Roark Dodd and grandson Carvell Dodd. She was preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Amie Whitmer, and son, Jimmy O'Roark. Services will be private.